Woody Guthrie - 1913 Massacre

[sunniedayz23]

I love this song..Just so sad that the words he sings is what really happened. :-( I lived up there too.

[hugheslm7]

"See what your greed for money has done." Applicable as ever.

[hairymelen]

A wonderful, easy way to cheat the corporations out of cheap labor is to use birth control and have no more than 2 kids, so you can educate them out of the coal mines or oil field jobs. Women have the power and birth control is a lot cheaper than raising a child. The latest figures are that it takes $220,000 to raise a child (unless you are dirt poor like my family was and we grew our own food!)

[edw39I]

What a song...

[charlieboyzname]

Is it just me or do others find Woody Guthrie gets in your mind like a (good) worm and breathes life into all he does the man was a genius....

[a89alex]

Fuck Rick Scott, Rick Perry, Scott Walker, Paul LePage and all the like, all these politicians who are stripping modern day workers rights! They stand behind big business not the people! From teachers to state workers! They'll trap us just like they trapped these people!

God bless ya Woody!

[goonodeath]

@a89alex The sad thing is they have managed to trick all modern "conservatives" into being self hating middle class people. They have managed to make them believe that big business should be allowed to rape people the way it does. Education saves people from politics though. Being political simply shows a lack of education. You can't align with one party because they all have a bunch of shitheads in them.

[a89alex]

@goonodeath could not agree more, brother.

[pegasigirl2010]

My great-great-grandfather was one of the striking miners. Thankfully, his wife had given birth just three days before the party at the Italian Hall, so the whole family, including my great-grandfather, stayed home that night. In retrospect, that was probably the best decision they ever made...

[racrubtammy]

@pegasigirl2010

My grandfather, Pete age 5, and his brother, John age 7, were asleep behind the piano and nobody knew they were there, and so they escaped the gathering of children to bring them down the stairs to 'saftey'. I'm glad my great grandparents dropped the kids off and went off bar hoppin'.

[WobblyWolverine]

3 people are scabs, and company thugs...

[jay94271]

they'll never stop im afraid. their wealth is built on the backs of the broken and likely always will be. its no different now than it was then.... maybe slightly more subtle but no different. god help us

[Tevleon]

I have a better version, can't find it though.

[1989berlinwall]

Bob dylan is what brought me here. According to Songfacts Woody was one of his influences, In my opinon Woody Guthrie was the original Rage Against The Machine!

Im so suprised how liberating his lyrics were Thanx an3yt for the video

[jonmartinez2010]

@1989berlinwall Guthrie was Dylan's idol, his biggest influence

[MattisSoderstorm]

@jonmartinez2010

him and Dylan Thomas

[Travisab1]

A story of 1913 starring the union and the scabs...There's nothing either will stop at to feed their family or get their money. A shame that this is a true story. Now it's coming to a head once again in 2011.

[JustinThought1980]

Woodie Guthrie was a wonderful songwriter! He hit the nail on the head as far as what was going on then, and unfortunately what is happening again. (If you don't know your history, you are destined to repeat it.)

But, while I'm strongly against government regulations, in my opinion he should have been prevented from coming within 50 feet of a microphone at any time.

Here's his son with the same song: watch?v=Kb7KRpbesHY

[MrSamsquansh1]

@OldWalter We ride in those cars to arrive at work where we all work together. If you were a true independent you'd be a hermit. Someone builds your house, makes your cars, picks the fruit you eat, paves the highways, etc...We rely on each other, that's why it's called "society".

[GaspLuv]

We listened to this in my history class :D its so catchy! (yet so depressing)

[marinahall1]

The government didn't care, neither did the SCAB workers. In solidarity union brothers and sisters! 

[jackwarshaw]

Guthrie's political songs are often underrated by sel-appointed pundits and ignored by perforrmers who fear they will fail to "entertain." I have always rated songs like 1913 and Vanzetti's Letter as some of his finest. Never heard anyone but Bruce Springsteen sing Vanzettis's Letter, on a TV documentary years ago. Hence the video response. Best wishes Jack W

[OldWalter]

It's a shame that in US there is so much people hating true socialism (bolshevism excluded) and libertarian socialism ideas. Without people fighting and struggling for these ideals the working class would have been totally turned in to mindless slaves without any consiousness of their position in the capitalist hierarchy. But whatever, ideology is not most important thing becouse as long as there will be people fighting for their emancipation for whatever reasons, the struggle will not be lost.

[glenharbin]

@OldWalter " It's a shame that in the US there is so many people hating 'true socialism'"? That's because we live in a democracy you retard... it's like your standing in line line at Mcdonalds wondering why whopper's aren't more popular.... duh

[OldWalter]

@glenharbin Your democracy is not worth anything if it's followed by capitalist workplace dictatorship with no real means for workers to effect the production. So what if you can choose your masters for terminated time, so what if you have freedom of speech, the fact is that it does not realy give the real power, economical power to the people who run all society, the workers. Representational democracy is fake.

[Hister333]

@tmcquad1 You can be free to yell "Fire" in a crowded theater? Thanks.

[tmcquad1]

@Hister333 actually that is against the law; it's not protected by freedom of speech because you are endangering the lives of others.

[Hister333]

@tmcquad1 I can tell by the way the government went out of their way to find the man who yelled it, and bring him to justice.

[Hister333]

@Hister333 Oh, you know his name? PLEASE enlighten us...

[Hister333]

@Hister333 Wait, so you can't say their names, and the fact that they were brought to Justice? So I guess it's okay to yell fire sometimes...

[idoggie2]

@OldWalter You have no idea what you are talking about. We hate socialism because sooner or later they have to take our money. That is it. Americans are an independent minded people. That is why they came here. Have you ever wondered why trains can't make money here? Because we like the independence of cars.

[OldWalter]

@idoggie2 I think you're missing the point i made. If you're talking about state capitalists or social democrats who are often called "socialists" then yeah you're right. But True socialism is not about taxes or nationalisation of stuff. Soc-dems are just the over side of the liberal capitalism, Liberals and conservatives often call them socialists just to confuse things and make them different. In the end both groups are just two warring sides of capitalist system,

[gomarios]

"Independence of cars".... what a genius justification!!!! Probably that's also why few dozens of millions of people today listen to and buy crap like lady gaga, j. timberlake and all that but nobody today knows people like W. Guthrie... Another pronouncement of the independence of Americans maybe??

[clucaspik]

Bob Dylan used this melody in his first song - Song to Woody

[jakewino221]

@clucaspik it was not his first song but yes same melody

[jakewino221]

@clucaspik its not his first song but is the same melody

[dapa4]

its weird to have a song written about an event that took place in my hometown.

[moosehead68]

So powerfull and sad especially at this time of year.

[theredbonefury]

"song to woody"

[knivesandpeppers]

This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender.

[run2thestore]

I just saw Arlo in concert in Calumet, MI and he sang this song. It was almost spooky how amazing it was.

[4rainbowed]

I'm always horrified at what "humanity" does to itself.

[joseranth00]

I'm reading the book Death's Door by Steve Lehto. It's about the Italian Hall disaster and the miner's strike during that time and how the mine managers basically ran the newspapers and the hired thugs that instigated violence. In Aug 1913 the Waddell-Mahon men opened fire on a boarding house in Seeberville (near Painesdale) and killed 2 people.

[daleahill]

THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS!

[UdReks]

The middle class is dying out. Soon we'll have people working for less than a dollar a day again.

[seshala]

This is music that speaks to us all.

[pikkdogs]

I love the U.P. and I would love to move back there some time. Such a great place.

Guthrie added some things in this song. Who knows who it was that yelled fire, and if there was really a fire or not.

I dont know anything about this disaster, but I really have a hunch that there was a small fire somewhere.

[Ripley44mag]

Just like the BP thugs of today.

[PAULFC93]

Bob Dylan is god in my eyes....But there's no doubt that he was trying to be Woody Guthrie with his debut album......i'm not talking about song to Woody per se.....that was obviously only a tribute....but he hadn't found his own personal sound at that stage.....but after that he just became a seperate entity.....and produced some of the greatest music mankind has ever seen

[MsSapphire87]

this song breaks my heart! but somehow it seems right that it should have been written by woody, no-one else could have done it right!

[jko1992]

Hey hey Woody Guthrie I wrote you a song

[kilogproject]

@jko1992 about a funny old world thats coming along.

[GoldenSlumbers04]

@jko1992 about a funny ole world thats comin along

[topsy420]

Anyone know the notes hes playing?

[dcl90s]

@topsy420 C,D,G

[dayooper3]

My Grandmother and my Aunt (who was less than 1 yrs old at the time) were going to attend this party, but my Aunt was sick and they stayed home. All of the photos that I have examined show that the doors opened outward, not inward as some claim. The mines and their stooges did a lot more to the poor miners. Read the book "Death's Door: The Truth Behind Michigan's Largest Mass Murder" by Steve Lehto if you want to learn more.

[dalloway89]

woody, thanks for bob.

bob, thanks for tom.

tom, thanks for KOL.

[alexx123aaaa]

im learning about this in ms.machielas class at washington middle school in calumet michigan.

[edgeyp12]

I can never get sick of this song.

[Bradylama]

@edgeyp12

Me neither.

[Danman917]

"The Italian Hall disaster (sometimes referred to as the 1913 massacre) is a tragedy which occurred on December 24, 1913 in Calumet, Michigan. Seventy-three men, women, and children, mostly striking mine workers and their families, were crushed to death when someone falsely yelled "fire" at a crowded Christmas party.[1]"

[persevere4]

@Danman917 - True I read exit doors locked the people could not open and escape. Pure evil reminds me teabagger proud of himsel, taking photos with little twerp Ron Paul Jr. both smiling the fine work stomping a womens head as she was face down on hard cement. Smiling at their manly work. I want to puke I see this head stomp of a woman. We rat packed guys like this when I was a cholo, hung with my clique. Big bad dudes were beaten down, five or more of our group. The never came back for more,

[StSimonMartyr]

Nope

They were Burned to death..arson by their Jewish Capitalist Bosses/Owners, who LOCKED the doors and set the hall on fire.

It was a real fire, not someone yelling fire.

Jew Watch Website

[tstillin]

@StSimonMartyr Now I am used to trolls like you, but this is ridiculous. Not only is this extremely racist but it historically inaccurate. There was no fire I suggest you read "At Death's Door," a good book on the subject

[StSimonMartyr]

Jew shill author...telling it like it aint.

It was a fire that killed those innocent people..

The Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire

Trapped inside because the owners had locked the fire escape exit doors, 146 of the 500 workers—mostly young women—were dead. Local 25 of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU)

[tstillin]

@StSimonMartyr That Happened in New York City in 1911. This Happened in Calumet Michigan in 1913. You are getting your disasters mixed.

[StSimonMartyr]

Someone yelled "fire, after the Doors were Locked, from the Outside.

People panicked and rushed for the stairs.

73 people (59 children) were killed.

"Fire" was called out by the Anti-union company mgt.

Company owners were Zionist Bolsheviks. Typical Anti-Worker, human rights thugs, who used Child labor and had no limit on work days-(now 8hrs) thanks to those workers who had their lives taken..

[motrinman18]

hey woody guthrie

[pomea]

You oughta hear how Rambling Jack Elliott sang this at the 1967 Carnegie Hall tribute to Woody Guthrie when he passed away. My God, they weren't even going to invite him to perform at all, but he made such a commotion on the street that they had to let him in! Tears will run down your face when you hear Jack singing this one! So much love poured out of him in that performance!

[theAsocialApe]

Holy Christ. Just listened to it. Incredible. Thank you.

[AllKindsaGirls]

i love jack elliot!

[kristi1717]

My grandfather was a boy when it happened-his dad (1 of the miners) took his family-he wound up pushing them into a corner in a stairwell on the way out, as he saw what was happening. Some of his friends yelled at him to move, but he said he'd rather his family die in the 'fire' than get trampled to death. The tragedy WAS caused partially by 'inward opening doors', Codes were changed as a result of it. Grew up w/the story-& I remember when they tore the Hall down. Mauno-it's on the plaque...

[dollygracielou]

Actually, that theory that doors opened inward was a claim that was made years after the fact.

[BloodyRoseXoXo]

This song is so sad, but maybe only because I am related to many who had died, or lost others in this event...

[servantofLoviatar]

Well, i'm not related to any that I know of but this is an incredibly sad song.

[dollygracielou]

@BloodyRoseXoXo

It makes me very sad and I don't know a soul that was there, but I know them in spirit.

[willwkrueger]

capitalists vs unionists

[CameraguyCraig]

Bob Dylan used 1913 Massacre's melody for Song to Woody

[willwkrueger]

yep, bob dylan was a great artist but as a social commentator remains in the shadow of woody guthrie all the same

[Horwitz86]

i think he would admit this how can you not be in the shadow of a man u admire and imitate but i dont think in anyway that lessens his ability to communicate. in fact u could say dylan sat on the shoulders of woody. while bob did many woody songs as well as use his tunes with new lyrics howevfer its not like dylan didnt use his talents to express the injustices oh his own time ie Hattie Carrol Hurricane etc

[GARYTEXAS]

In all his words Woody Guthrie has never lied to meor any one else! So why are you scabs still holding the doors shut

[pef286]

That's is why we have building codes. It was a very tragic accident. There isn't any proof to the contrary. Yes it was durning a strike, and it was a terrible place to work. The exact details will never be known.

[RJGrones]

"..see what?.. your greed.. for money has done.."..

Look around..

[srenihwhtiwpudef]

No one held the door closed. The doors opened in and so many people charged down the stairs at once that they couldnt be pulled open. This is why doors in public buildings open out so Ive been told, Im not sure if thats true.

[TingoTroy]

The story of the doors opening inward is a theory that appears to have first emerged in the 1950's. All photos of the doors suggest a double set of doors with both sets opening outward. The first mention of the doors opening inward was in a 1952 book Red Metal by C. Harry Benedict. The doors were not mentioned as a contributing factor at the December 1913 coroner's inquest, the 1914 subcommittee hearing, or in any of the newspaper stories of the time.

[TingoTroy]

The Italian Hall has since been demolished, and only the archway remains from that day, although a state historical marker was erected in 1987. The marker incorrectly states that the tragedy was partially caused by inward opening doors. The Michigan Department of History Arts and Libraries has indicated that it will replace the marker to correct that error.

[srenihwhtiwpudef]

Interesting, thanks for the info.

[srenihwhtiwpudef]

My grandfather was about 10 years old when this occurred. He and a brother escaped through a second floor window but 2 of his sisters, 4 and 6 years old, were crushed to death. My grandmothers father was a blacksmith so no one from her family was at the party but almost every other home in town had a coffin in the front of their homes.

[fartsinwind]

greed ................

[vivahst]

Is it because of this incident that the famous restriction on the first amendment, "You can't yell fire in a crowded theater," came in to existence?

[kristi1717]

No. Before Lincoln was shot, somebody yelled fire as a diversion. Boothe didn't act alone...that's where the expression comes from.

[vivahst]

Thanks for the info. I did not know that.

[ajlind322]

i didnt know this is where bob dylan got

the melody for "song to woody"

[porkinwitz]

hauntingly beautiful

[pikkdogs]

I live pretty close to Calumet, and its nice to have your area immortalized like this.

And especially have a song dedicated to the hard workers who lost their lives

[charcoalinkdream]

History through music reaches our hearts!

[canfor5]

how good of you to put this classic on.

Thank you SO much!

[pikkdogs]

probably not, but the general idea was probably there.

The bosses may not have done anything, but it is thought that they at least yelled fire which was the cause of this problem

[erikdw123]

Such a beautiful song.

thanks for uploading!

[dirtyredd1979]

I live six miles north of Calumet, MI in the village of Mohawk and this is a great tribute to that 1913 tragedy.

[ferretgimp]

Peace to a profound thinker and man of integrity

[bpreo]

95 years ago! i believe all the survivors have recently passed.

[ReneeSarojini]

Mine too. I dedicate it to all the Ohio voters who had the courage and the vision to vote Democrat, this year, when it might have felt risky. GBA.

[steelfrsh]

this is my favorite Guthrie song

[ippusor]

Indeed.

[ginmillsinger]

Great song!

Great share, JT! :c) Thanks!

Very best of wishes!

GinMillBill

[oldcountrytunes]

I have never heard this one before. ***** and thanks for posting. Thanks for sharing, JT.

[jtls8]

First time I have heard this him. Thank you

for posting*****

[meercat132]

this is the tune that dylan used for song to woody. in some way i think it was a tribute to how great this song is. simple and yet profound like most of woodys songs

[hankwilliamsgirl]

aha... this is the orginal woody guthrie ... nice to hear.. ;) then please hear my wrong version ;)i thought it´s was woody .. ;( nice channel and very good vid!!!!